The French Riviera Masters heads to Terre Blanche Resort and Golf Club this week as the European Tour Destination plays host to the Senior Tour event for the first time in the tournament’s three-year history.
Earlier this year, Terre Blanche was unveiled as the third European Tour Destination – alongside the London Golf Club and Le Golf National - within the European Tour Courses portfolio, and also became the home to the Tour’s first Performance Institute.
And this week, this stunning resort nestling in the heart of Provence in the south of France will welcome the Senior Tour for the first time as the legends of the game pit themselves against the Dave Thomas-designed Château course.
Ranked 18th within Golf World UK magazine’s recently published classification of the Top 100 courses in continental Europe, Le Château course at Terre Blanche stretches 6,616 metres (7,235 yards) and is characterised by several spectacular water obstacles. The bunkers, greens and flag positions provide the challenges of a true championship course, rewarding players for precision and distance. Scenic highlights include memorable views of a picturesque lake and a 19th-century castle. This year-round showpiece provides a magnificent challenge that is sure to test the abilities of even the most proficient golfer.
The second 18-hole course at Terre Blanche, Le Riou, is also designed by Thomas. A highly technical course requiring strategy and precision, the course stretches to 6,005 metres (6,567 yards) and features rolling contours and winding fairways. The course unfolds through pine- and oak-lined hills and valleys, providing inspiring views of medieval Provençal villages and the Southern Alps. This year-round course, reserved for club members and their guests, as well as guests of the Resort , is also the host, in March, of the Generali Ladies’ Open, part of the LET Access Series.
Off-course, Terre Blanche has created one of the world’s most advanced facilities for golf practice and improvement, which and acts as the winter base for the French Golf Federation’s elite amateur
Marc Farry, involved in the tournament’s creation in 2010 and still an integral part of the organising committee, won the inaugural event at Cannes Mougins . He was succeeded as champion by Spaniard Juan Quiros, who captured the title last year when he defeated Ireland’s former Ryder Cup player Des Smyth in a play-off.
The Senior Tour players will compete for a prize fund of €400,000.
